title: Parents' views and experiences when their preschool child is identified as overweight: a qualitative study in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevalence of overweight in children has increased significantly in many countries in the past decades. Few parents identify their own children as overweight, especially very young children. Motivating parents is difficult, and interventions to attain normal weight often fail.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore parents' views and experiences when health professionals identify their preschool child as overweight.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth interviews were held with parents of 10 overweight children aged 2.5-5.5 years. Parents were recruited at well child clinics in rural parts of eastern Norway. Interviews were recorded digitally, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents presented themselves and their toddlers as vulnerable. To protect their child from developing low self-esteem and eating disorders, some parents preferred their child not to be present when discussing overweight. Growth charts were looked upon as objective and useful. Parents talked readily about their own weight experiences. Being overweight themselves represented both a barrier to, and motivation for, dealing with their toddler's overweight. Parents appreciated support from professionals in kindergarten, but grandparents often undermined the parents' effort to make changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early childhood overweight should be addressed in a sensitive and respectful manner and should consider whether the index child should be present during discussion. It may be helpful for clinicians to discuss parents' own weight and dieting experiences and concerns about eating disorders. All the child's caretakers should be considered a target for intervention, and grandparents and kindergarten professionals should be included.
authors.affiliation: Family doctor, Toppen Legesenter general practice, Lillehammer.
authors.forename: Ingun
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Toftemo
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Glavin
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lagerløv
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Child health; obesity; overweight; parents; primary health care; qualitative research.